Trailer Brakes Show 3 Volts when Connected to 2013 Chevy Silverado 2500 w/Factory Brake Controller

Updated 06/06/2018 | Published 06/04/2018

Question:

I have a 2013 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with the factory brake controller. When I hook up to my trailer I have lights and my break away switch is wired through a battery on the trailer off of the main 12v power feed from the truck. I can get the trailer brakes to work but I have no trailer brakes when plugged into the 5:00 position on the 7 pin on the truck and when tested only reads 3 volts on that pin?

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

If the factory brake controller on your 2013 Chevy Silverado 2500 is proportional and you are testing for voltage using the brake pedal then it will not send back the full voltage to the trailer brakes because it is not sensing deceleration. Instead test it using the manual override. If that is what you are doing then there could be a bad connection somewhere on the trailer side. It could be anywhere from the trailer connector to the brake magnets.

Inspect the wiring and fixing any broken or pinched wires. Make sure the trailer connector is free of corrosion inside and out. Check all the grounds and make sure they are attached to clean, corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

You can test the magnets themselves by following the help article I have linked for you.

expert reply by: Michael H